THE LONGWOOD REEFS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1305, 25 May 1878, Page 3

THE LONGWOOD REEFS.

Eeferring to mining matters at Longwood the “Western Star’’ says: —“Large sums have in many instances been paid for small interests in some of the favorite claims, although but a vague supposition that the reef runs through them is all that the speculators had to guide them. This, however, is not an unqualified evil, as the parties purchasing these shares are those who can afford to lose a few hundreds without being very much hurt, and once having invested, they are compelled to do a little prospecting to test the value of their purchase. Another hopeful sign is the return to the Longwood of many old diggers who prospected the range years ago, and who found in nearly every gully strong indications of payable quartz, A few of the miners at Orepuki and Bound Hill have taken up ground several miles distant from the prospectors’ claim, with the view of further testing some fancied spot at one time abandoned by them in disgust. The recent agitation in opposition to the granting mining leases of such extensive areas of ground as have been applied for, has checked any disposition on the part of applicants to test their ground before their leases are granted, and as the first batch of applications will not be heard until Ist June, little or no work will be done until after that date. Notwithstanding the opposition they have met with, the leases are still in favour, as is evidenced by the additional number applied for, several of which are on the line discovered by Mr Osborne last week. The Wallace Prospecting Company have applied for a lease on this new discovery, so that if their first application is not a lucky one, they will still have another chance.”